best natural teas

I love sipping a hot cup of tea on brisk fall days, but by mid-afternoon I’ve got to switch to something caffeine-free or risk being up all night.

herbal teas (or technically “tisanes” if they don’t come from the buds & leaves of camellia sinensis) are the perfect solution. there’s something almost primal about pouring hot water over dried herbs, flowers & berries, watching the unique color of the infusion swirl into the cup as the flavors concentrate & strengthen. unlike traditional tea, which easily becomes bitter, herbal tisanes improve with a long steeping of 5 to 20 minutes or more.

these days, a variety of herbs are proving to have great health benefits (which ancient cultures have known for millennia, just not in the form of double-blind studies!).

Organic India is a company that brings the health-promoting goodness of traditional Indian herbs to the West in the form of herbal supplements & delicious teas. my favorite of these is the Tulsi Sweet Rose blend.

the Tulsi plant has long been revered as a sacred herb in India & is known in the west as Holy Basil. in modern times, this herb is considered an adaptogen, helping your immune system stay balanced & fight stress.

Organic India’s blend combines Tulsi basil with rose petals, lemon myrtle & chamomile flowers, plus a hit of stevia for natural sweetness. more than a universal symbol of love –by any name ;)—the rose is a health superhero packed with vitamin C & other antioxidants.

the taste of Tulsi Sweet Rose Tea is floral but mellow, comforting but a little exotic—perfect to sip during a few minutes of afternoon mindfulness or serve with an Indian-inspired dessert.

Organic India is also a company with heart, working with thousands of family farmers in rural India to promote sustainable, organic agriculture—& that’s the sweetest thing of all.

try it with some gulab jamun… thesehoney-soaked milk pastry balls are one of my favorite Indian dessert delights.

know me :-)

I’m Suki, the founder, president & formulator of the brand suki® skincare. I’m also a long-time professional freelance writer & competitive pro / am ballroom dancer—this year a U.S. finalist in the Open American Smooth & Standard styles.

I started suki® because I grew up suffering physically & mentally from eczema, a condition that sent me hiding under baggy clothes in the corner while being bullied & teased. these experiences, among many others in my past, gave me the drive to create my company & the strength to become the person I am growing into. like many people who grew up, let’s say, a bit out of the norm, & are lucky enough to find “their tribe” & the help I did early on—my experience made me more competitive, compassionate & creative. I’m also motivated to give back like I’ve been given to.

the most rewarding part of my day is receiving a letter from anyone who has been helped by what I've done. I’m also so lucky to work with the amazing people at Bay Path University, Breast Cancer Action & the Komera Project.

here, I’ll always speak the truth—no BS, no fluff. I’ll answer your questions & talk...anything...uncovering the reality of labels, challenging conventional wisdom, revealing the hidden world of cosmetics from my “insider” perspective. you'll see sometimes, that much of this biz of making people pretty isn’t pretty at all. but as you'll also see, I really mean my philosophy of “know your beauty”!